172 



£)eciC»uous TIrees. 



The leaves are pinnate. It grows on the shores of highland 

 rivers, sometimes in dry ground but often on the water level 

 among rocks and stones. Cultivated, it thrives well in any 

 moderately rich soil. There is a variety with pendulous 

 branches which when grafted on the common ash forms 

 small, shady arbors in a short time. The ash retains a 

 beautiful green and luxuriant foliage until late in fall. 



THE LAUREL FAMILY. 



Sassafras Laurel, Sassafras officinale. — A small but 



ornamental tree with 

 irregular crown of 

 rounded outlines and 

 straight, slender 

 stems. Grows in rich 

 or moderately gravel- 

 ly soil either in moist 

 or dry positions. 

 Finest in old fields 

 and on the outskirts 

 of woods. The obo- 

 vate, three-clef t leaves 

 are very handsome 

 glossy green in sum- 

 mer, changing into a 

 dull red and crimson 

 in autumn. The tree 



FIG. 87.— SASSAFRAS LAUREL (SASSAFRAS OFFICINALE.). • -.„.,„ pflfpctive OH 



account of its characteristic and picturesque habit. 



